Politico reports here that Rep. Charles Rangel steered almost $80,000 in campaign funds to an internet company run by his son — apparently legally, but much more than any other member of the House paid for comparable services during the… Continue reading

Pew has released this must-read report. From its news release: Good data is the basis of good policymaking. In the elections field, a lack of data has often left policy makers and election officials without the tools necessary… Continue reading

With 99% of precincts and ballots recounted, Senator Coleman still leads by an estimated 251 votes. The Star-Tribune reports here that there are 133 missing ballots in Minneapolis, as well as thousands of outstanding ballot challenges. For more on… Continue reading

USA Today reports here. “Ugly Betty” star America Ferrera is helping, as is the President-Elect.

The LA Times blog has this story on the Donofrio v. Wells case, while the Chicago Tribune has this report discussing other cases raising the issue of Obama and McCain’s eligiblity to serve.

The NYT has this report. According to the Chicago Tribune, it’s more than $1 billion if other election-related efforts (including the convention, transition, and inauguration) are included.

From Crossing Wall Street (pointer courtesy of Brad Smith): Total Democratic Presidential Votes Since 1932: 745,407,082 Total Republican Presidential Votes Since 1932: 745,297,123 Total Third-Party Presidential Votes Since 1932: 66,061,486 How’s that for parity? That’s a difference of 109,959 votes… Continue reading

Campaign Finance Institute Executive Director Michael Malbin offers these comments in response to criticism of its recent report finding that Obama received about the same amount from small donors as did Bush in 2004.

The New Republic has this story on election administration problems that mostly went under-the-radar on Election Day. A snippet: In fact, the 2008 election was rife with the same problems that have bedeviled others in recent years. It was only… Continue reading

Countering the conventional wisdom, FairVote argues in this press release that “2008 marked a record low in the number of competitive states since 1960 and a record high in the number of completely non-competitive states.”

Hans von Spakovsky offers this perspective on the Virginia Board of Elections’ failure to comply with UOCAVA. Without pretending to speak for the “liberal political establishment,” I’m inclined to agree with him.

John Lott offers these observations.

Karl Rove has this op-ed in today’s WSJ. Bob Bauer responds here.

As the Franken-Coleman recount drama continues, Minnesota Public Radio has this report on the campaigns efforts to raise money to fund their ongoing efforts.